Smartphones are incredible gadgets that are capable of much more than simply sending and receiving messages. They also include a ton of hidden features that may improve your productivity, enjoyment, and ease of living. These are fifteen of them that you may not be aware of.

1. Scan QR codes without the need for an app

These days, QR codes can be seen on everything from restaurant menus to product labels. They may provide helpful information like contacts, discounts, or links. However, did you realize that scanning them doesn’t need a different app? You may just utilize the camera app on your smartphone. Just touch the notice that appears after pointing your camera at the QR code. You’ll be sent to the appropriate app or website.

2. Make Use of Your Phone as a Leveling Instrument

You may use your phone as a convenient level tool if you need to hang a painting or a shelf. Simply swipe left after launching the Measure app on your Android phone or the Compass app on your iPhone. The degree of tilting of your phone will be shown by a level indicator. It may also be calibrated by tapping the screen while it is on a level surface.

3. Make a magnifying glass out of your phone

There are instances when you need to enlarge a little object, such a fine print or a minute detail. There’s a better method to achieve it than using the camera on your phone. By turning on the Magnifier option in the Accessibility settings, you can use your phone as a magnifying glass. This will enable you to alter the image’s brightness and contrast as well as zoom in and out using your phone’s volume controls.

4. Use Voice Control to Operate Your Phone

You can use your phone without touching it by using voice commands. For instance, to activate your virtual assistant and instruct it to do tasks like making calls, playing music, or setting reminders, just say “Hey Siri” or “OK Google.” To carry out certain tasks on your phone, including capturing screenshots, launching applications, or changing settings, you may also utilize voice commands. Navigate to the Voice Control or Voice Access settings on your iPhone or Android phone to activate this function.

5. Make Use of Your Phone As A Remote Control

Your phone may be used as a remote control for a number of gadgets, including gaming consoles, streaming boxes, and smart TVs. An app that works with the device you want to manage is all you need. For instance, you may manage your smart TV using the Android TV Remote manage app on your Android phone or the Apple TV Remote app on your iPhone. Additionally, you may control additional devices using applications like Xbox, Roku, and Chromecast.

6. Use Split Your Screen to Multitask

On your smartphone, you may utilize two applications simultaneously by splitting your screen into two windows. This is helpful for multitasking, as when you’re using a calculator and watching a movie or surfing the web and checking your email. To do this, launch one app, then hold down the slide up gesture from the bottom of the screen until the app switcher appears. After that, release the app after dragging it to the top or left of the screen to divide it. Then, to launch the other app on the opposite side of the screen, press on it.

7. Instantaneous Text Translation

The camera on your phone can interpret text in real time, including labels, menus, and signs. When learning a new language or traveling, this is useful. Open the Google Translate app on your phone, then touch the Camera icon to do this. After that, choose the language you wish to translate from and to and aim your camera at the text you wish to translate. The translated text will appear over the original text.

8. To extend battery life, go to dark mode.

A function on your phone that switches the interface’s color palette from bright to dark is called “dark mode.” This may make using your phone easier on the eyes, particularly in low light or at night. However, did you know that battery life may also be preserved by using dark mode? This is because using dark mode lowers the amount of light your screen emits, which results in lower battery use. Go to your phone’s Display settings and turn on Dark Mode to activate it.

9. Get Access to Hidden Games

When you’re bored or need a break, you may play some of the hidden games on your smartphone. For instance, while you are offline in Chrome, you may play a dinosaur game by hitting on the dinosaur symbol and then tapping anywhere on the screen to have it hop over obstacles. Additionally, you may play a snake game on Google Maps by touching on Play Snake after swiping left from the menu.

10. Make Use of Gestures for Quicker Navigation

You can operate your phone more quickly and easily by using gestures rather than buttons. For instance, you may swipe down from the top of the screen to reach the notification panel, swipe left or right from the screen’s border to navigate back or ahead, or slide up from the bottom to get to the home screen. Go to your phone’s Navigation settings and choose Gesture Navigation to activate gestures.

11. Scan Documents With Your Phone

businessman using a smartphone to scan papers against a website’s UI
Contracts, invoices, and receipts may all be scanned using your phone’s camera. Because you don’t require a printer or scanner, you may save time and effort. The scanned papers are also easily editable, signable, and shareable. To do this, press the Camera icon when using the Notes app on your iPhone or the Google Drive app on your Android phone. After selecting Scan Documents, snap a photo of the document you want to scan.

12. Turn Your Phone Into a Flashlight

When you need more light, such in the dark or during an emergency, you may utilize the flash on your phone as a flashlight. Swipe down from the top of the screen and press the Flashlight symbol to do this. Using the slider that displays, you may also change the flashlight’s brightness. Tap the symbol once again to switch off the flashlight.

13. Make Use Of Your Phone As A Hotspot

Using the cellular data on your phone, you may establish a hotspot that you can share with other gadgets, including tablets, laptops, and other phones. When you want to save money on data plans or don’t have access to Wi-Fi, this might be helpful.

Toggle on Personal Hotspot or Mobile Hotspot by going to the Personal Hotspot settings on your iPhone or the Mobile Hotspot settings on your Android phone. After that, connect your other devices to your hotspot and choose a network name and password.

14. Make Your Phone Your Ruler

To measure tiny items like coins, jewels, or keys, you may use the screen of your phone as a ruler. Use the functionality by putting the item on your screen and using the Measure app on your iPhone or downloading a ruler app on your Android phone. The length of the item in inches or centimeters may then be seen by dragging the measuring tool over it with your finger.

15. Make Use of Your Phone as a Mirror

When you need to check how you look, such before a date, interview, or meeting, you may utilize the front camera on your phone as a mirror. To use this function, launch the Camera app on your phone, then hit the camera icon to switch to the front camera. After that, change the phone’s lighting and angle so you can see yourself on the screen.